Store cattle and weanlings continue to confident trade at Markethill

Store cattle and weanlings continued to sell in a confident trade at Markethill on Saturday 12th December.

The 200 store cattle attracted very good competition from buyers from throughtout NI and export agents.

HEIFERS: Good quality middleweight heifers sold to £205 for 374k at £765 from a Ballyward farmer. Main demand from £180 to £202 per 100 kilos. Second quality middleweights sold in a firm demand from £155 to £175 per 100 kilos. Forward heifers to £180 for 572k at £1030. Main demand from £170 to £177 per 100 kilos.

BULLOCKS: Middleweight steers to £205 for 440k at £900 followed by £202 for 440k at £890. Main demand from £185 to £198 per 100 kilos. Forward bullocks to £186 for 584k at £1085. Friesian bullocks from £115 to £131 for 630k at £825.

WEANLINGS: The 110 weanlings sold in a steady trade with good quality lots in excellent demand. Heifers to £245 for 316k at £775. All good quality heifers from £200 to £233 per 100 kilos. Male weanlings to £264 for 320k at £845 followed by £246 for 258k at £635. All good quality males from £200 to £234 per 100 kilos.

The 140 cull cows at Markethill on Tuesday 15th December sold in a firmer trade particularly all classes of Friesian cows. Beef-bred cows to £140 for 790k Char at £1110 for 634k Char at £885. Main demand from £118 to £135 per 100 kilos. Fleshed friesians from £93 to £107 per 100 kilos with a top of £108 for 646k at £700. Highest priced friesians £820 for 764k (107). Second quality friesians from £75 to £85 per 100 kilos and the poorest types from £55 to £70 per 100 kilos. Import cows and non FQA cows sold readily.

Dairy stock sold to £1190 for a calved heifer from a Glenanne farmer. A Banbridge farmer sold calved heifers at £1110, £990 and £980 each.

CALVES: The 210 lots in the calf ring sold in a steady demand. Good quality bulls (under four weeks old) sold to £380 for a Sim followed by £370 for a Char. Main demand from £240 to £355 each. Heifer calves (under four week olds) sold to £275 for a Sim. All good heifers from £190 to £260 each. Strong Friesian bulls (three to four months old) sold from £140 to £185 each. Young Friesian bulls sold from £50 to £98 each with plainer types from £15 to £35 each.